Generac · SD/MD Series (Industrial Diesel)

Generac SD1000/MD1000

1000 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

1000 kW diesel industrial standby generator. Perkins 30.6L inline-8 turbocharged/aftercooled, EPA Tier 2 Certified Stationary Emergency.

Generac Generac SD1000/MD1000 generator — specifications and details
Standby power
1000 kW
Voltage options
277/480V, 346/600V
Frequency / Phase
60 Hz · 3-phase
Engine
Perkins 30.6L · 30.6L
EPA / Emissions
Tier 2
Alternator
Generac
CommercialManufacturingHealthcareData Centers
Configure & QuoteDownload spec sheet

Overview#

The Generac SD1000/MD1000 is a 1,000-kilowatt industrial diesel generator powered by a Perkins 30.6-liter inline-8 turbocharged and aftercooled diesel engine. This unit is EPA Tier 2 Certified for Stationary Emergency applications and shares the same engine platform as the SD900/MD900, tuned to a higher output rating. The SD and MD designations represent different enclosure and configuration options on the same power platform. The SDMD1000 is also available as part of Generac's Modular Power Systems (MPS) lineup for paralleled installations.

Our Service Experience#

The SDMD1000 delivers megawatt-class power from the proven Perkins 30.6L inline-8 platform. Service access is straightforward compared to V-configuration engines at this power level. The unit shares most maintenance procedures with the SD900, simplifying fleet standardization for facilities that deploy multiple Generac units. Fuel quality management remains critical for standby applications -- we recommend fuel polishing systems and regular testing for units that exercise infrequently.

Engineering specifications

Fuel system & runtime

Fuel use @ full load
70 GPH
Fuel use @ 75% load
52.5 GPH
Fuel use @ 50% load
37.5 GPH

Ready to order this model?

Configure your Generac SD1000/MD1000

Lock the enclosure, fuel system, transfer switch, and add-ons — we'll confirm pricing, availability, and lead time within one business day. Prefer a free-form quote? That option is still here.

Configure & Quote →Just request a quote

Estimate runtime for the Generac SD1000/MD1000

Adjust load percent and tank size to estimate runtime. Pre-filled with this model's spec where available.

Estimate runtime on this tank

Estimated runtime

3.7 hours(0.2 days)

Fuel consumption ≈ 54.00 GPH at 75% load. Estimate based on industry-typical 1800 RPM standby curves (≈0.07 GPH/kW at full load). Actual consumption varies by engine, ambient temperature, fuel quality, and tuning.

Service intervals

Manufacturer-recommended intervals for the Generac SD1000/MD1000 under standby duty. Field intervals may differ based on load profile, ambient conditions, and fuel quality.

Oil & filter
Every 500 hours or 12 months
Coolant change
Every 4000 hours
Air filter
Every 1000 hours
Fuel filter
Every 500 hours
Load bank test
Every 12 months

Common failure modes

What we've seen fail on this platform. Use as a service-planning reference, not a diagnostic — actual failure modes depend heavily on duty cycle and maintenance history.

ComponentSymptomTypical hoursSeverity
Fuel quality / degradationHard starting, injector fouling, filter clogging, reduced power output4,380+moderate
TurbochargerPower loss, excessive smoke under load, oil consumption15,000+moderate
High pressure common rail injection systemRough running, misfiring cylinders, fuel rail pressure faults20,000+severe
Battery (24 VDC system)Failed to start, slow cranking8,760+minor

Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the Generac SDMD1000 use?
The current SDMD1000 uses a Perkins 30.6-liter inline-8 turbocharged and aftercooled diesel engine running at 1800 RPM. This is the same engine platform as the SD900/MD900, tuned to deliver 1000 kW at standby rating. The engine features high-pressure common rail fuel injection and is EPA Tier 2 Certified for Stationary Emergency applications. An earlier version used a 37.1L Mitsubishi V12 engine.
What is the fuel consumption of the Generac SDMD1000?
At standby rating on ultra-low-sulfur diesel, the SDMD1000 consumes approximately 70 gallons per hour at 100% load, 52.5 gph at 75% load, and 37.5 gph at 50% load. Actual consumption varies by site conditions, load profile, and altitude.
What voltages are available for the SDMD1000?
The SDMD1000 is available in two three-phase configurations: 277/480 VAC and 346/600 VAC, both at 0.8 power factor. The unit meets UL 2200 standards and supports paralleling through Generac's Modular Power Systems (MPS) platform.

Compatible equipment

Transfer switches

Similar models

Generac Generac SD900/MD900 900 kW liquid-cooled standby generator

Generac

Generac SD900/MD900

900 kW mission-critical diesel on Generac's MPS-ready platform. Competitive alternative to CAT and Cummins at lower acquisition cost.

900 kW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

900 kW diesel industrial standby generator. Perkins 30.6L inline-8 turbocharged/aftercooled, EPA Tier 2 Certified Stationary Emergency.

Tier 23-phasecommercial-standbyindustrial
Generac Generac SD1250 1.3 MW liquid-cooled standby generator

Generac

Generac SD1250

1250 kW industrial diesel with Mitsubishi engine. Competitive pricing vs CAT/Cummins. Paralleling for multi-MW systems.

1.3 MW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

1,250 kW standby diesel generator with Mitsubishi S12R-Y2PTAW-1 49.0L V12 engine. EPA Tier 2 certified. Three-phase 277/480V and 346/600V. UL2200 listed.

Tier 23-phasecommercial-standbyindustrial-standby
Generac Generac MD1250 1.3 MW liquid-cooled standby generator

Generac

Generac MD1250

1250 kW modular diesel with factory paralleling. N+1 redundancy, easier installation, and scalable power architecture for multi-megawatt systems.

1.3 MW standby · Diesel · Liquid-cooled

1250 kW modular diesel standby generator system. Factory-paralleled configuration with Mitsubishi 49.0L V12 engine for N+1 redundancy.

Tier 23-phasecommercial-standbyindustrial

Need service or parts for the Generac SD1000/MD1000?

We service every major OEM and stock genuine parts for the most common models.

Get A QuoteOr call (209) 229-1990